Main
Simon J. Marks
I am a recent MS in Environmental Sciences and Management graduate looking to apply myself in water resource science and/or planning. I possess a sound knowledge of hydrology and the technical proficiencies needed to perform hydrologic analysis. I also have a robust educational background surrounding NEPA, CEQA, and permitting needed to support water resource decision making.
Education
M.S., Environmental Sciences and Management (emphasis hydrology)
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
N/A
Dec. 2021 - Sep. 2019
- Thesis: Estimating and modeling transpiration of a mountain meadow encroached by conifers using sap flow measurements (copy available upon request)
B.S., Environmental Management and Protection (minor statistics)
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
N/A
Jun. 2019 - Sep. 2015
- Concentration: Watershed management and hydrology
- Summa cum laude
Research Experience
Graduate Research Assistant
Dr. Chris Surfleet’s Lab
California Polytechnic State University
current - Sep. 2019
- Primarily worked with sap flow field data to quantify and model transpiration of a conifer encroached meadow near Chester, CA in a meadow restoration research context
- Managed maintenance of field instruments at meadow restoration study sites and developed R scripts designed to streamline compilation of soil moisture, groundwater, sap flow, and climate field data
- Performed regression analysis (MLR) to study hydrologic and suspended sediment effects of forest roads at the Caspar Creek Watershed near Fort Bragg, CA
Summer Undergraduate Researcher
Dr. Chris Surfleet’s Lab
California Polytechnic State University
Summer 2018
- Completed sub-surface soil sampling, performed soil particle size distribution lab analysis, and computed soil hydraulic properties in support of meadow restoration research- presented results with a poster at an on campus research symposium to conclude the summer
- Cleaned and analyzed storm event peak flow and sediment discharge data collected at the Caspar Creek Experimental Watershed needed for distributed hydrology soil vegetation model (DHSVM) development
Industry Experience
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Intern
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Sacramento, CA
Summer 2017
- Worked within the Office of Spill Prevention and Response on tasks related to injury assessment and environmental sampling including development of environmental reports, field documentation, checklists, and operating procedures
Teaching Experience
Watershed Processes and Management Lecturer
Cal Poly NRES Dept.
San Luis Obispo, CA
current - Sep. 2021
- Instructed ArcGIS Pro based labs focused on watershed management problems including water budgets, runoff calculation, and culvert sizing
- Led a weekend field trip giving students experience with stream and riparian condition analysis toward watershed health and regulatory implementation
Watershed Processes and Management TA
Cal Poly NRES Dept.
San Luis Obispo, CA
Jun. 2021 - Sep. 2019
- Covered (all field based) streamflow measurement, stream channel and riparian assessment, road erosion hazard rating, and water quality measurement
- Assisted in GIS-based labs, troubleshooting spatial analyst tools
Supplemental Workshops in Science Facilitator
Cal Poly Student Academic Services
San Luis Obispo, CA
Dec. 2018 - Jan. 2017
- Facilitated medium groups of undergraduate students, providing instruction in chemistry and biology coursework and promoting community/collaboration
Academic Publications
Hydrologic and suspended sediment effects of forest roads using field and DHSVM modelling studies
Forest Ecology and Management
N/A
2021
- Co-authored with Chris Surfleet of the Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo NRES Dept.
Notable Graduate School Course Projects
Evaluation of Lower Scotts Creek Floodplain and Habitat Enhancement Project in HEC-RAS
CE 536: Computer Applications in Water Resources with GIS
N/A
Spring 2020
- Ran steady flow analysis at lower Scotts Creek (near Davenport, CA) to compare floodplain activation between pre and post-restoration states in the context of salmonid habitat improvement
1-Way ANOVA- Model Representations, Power, and Sample Size Tutorial
STAT 431: Advanced Statistical Computing in R
N/A
Spring 2020
- Authored tutorial using the
bookdownpackage, showcasing the means and effects models including their manual implementation via matrix algebra - Demonstrated data viz skills using
ggplot2andgganimatepackages, creating static and dynamic figures communicating the role of power and sample size in ANOVA
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
ERSC 303: Soil Erosion and Water Conservation
N/A
Fall 2018
- Prepared an abbreviated erosion plan for a proposed stream restoration project focused on mitigating bank erosion
- Identified project regulatory requirements, BMPs/conservation measures, and maintenance/monitoring procedures
Froom Ranch Specific Plan Draft EIR
NR 425: Applied Resource Analysis and Assessment
N/A
Spring 2018
- Worked with a team to write an abbreviated DEIR for a proposed project local to San Luis Obispo, CA
- Detailed environmental impacts and mitigation measures for the hydrology, aesthetics, public services, and recreation impact areas relevant to the project; identified project alternatives and other CEQA considerations (e.g., cumulative impacts)
Morro Bay Water Reclamation Facility Proposal to Prepare EIR
NR 416: Environmental Impact Analysis and Management
N/A
Fall 2017
- Collaborated with peers to author a proposal to prepare EIR for a project in Morro Bay, CA
- Gained familiarity with CEQA and the EIR process, specifically the hydrologic, geologic, biologic, and aesthetic impact areas
Awards and Honors
Hull Graduate Assistantship
N/A
N/A
2019
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Dean’s List
N/A
N/A
2019 - 2015
Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) Scholarship
N/A
N/A
2018
References
Christopher Surfleet, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Watershed Management and Hydrology; Graduate Coordinator
N/A
N/A
- Email (preferred): csurflee@calpoly.edu
- Phone: (805) 756-2743
Bwalya Malama, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Groundwater and Soil Biophysics
N/A
N/A
- Email (preferred): bmalama@calpoly.edu
- Phone: (805) 756-2971
Lydia Keema
Cal Poly Supplemental Workshops Coordinator
N/A
N/A
- Email (preferred): lkeema@calpoly.edu